In “The Meadow-Brook Girls Afloat,” as the third volume of the series is entitled, the little company of girls encountered stirring adventures as well as mirth-provoking incidents during their vacation spent under decidedly trying circumstances on an old houseboat. With the help of the Tramp Club a mysterious enemy, who had caused the Meadow-Brook Girls no little annoyance, was captured, but not until he had succeeded in setting fire to and burning their vacation home.
After the destruction of the “Red Rover,” their boat, they started at once for the White Mountains on a long, muscle-trying experiment in mountain-climbing. All that befell them of adventure, mystery and rollicking good times is set forth in “The Meadow-Brook Girls in the Hills.”
Not one of our readers has yet forgotten the great enjoyment furnished by the fifth volume, “The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea.” Here Harriet and her friends were found setting forth on an expedition without knowing whither it led, that secret being in the possession only of Miss Elting, their high school teacher, who accompanied them on all their jaunts. However, the trip proved the most exciting that they had yet had either ashore or afloat.
And now we return to the Meadow-Brook Girls in camp, to find them at the outset of still another vacation hike. So far, however, this experience had proved anything but exciting. So much adventure on previous trips made the present life in the woods seem dull by comparison. So even the coming of the boys was welcomed as a real event by the Meadow-Brook Girls.
As the boys came one by one into camp they were greeted with smiling faces and cordial handshakes. There could be no doubting the pleasure of the girls. Harriet had promptly suspected the presence of the boys when she observed the smoke signals earlier in the evening. She knew of no others who would understand this ancient method of signaling.
“I should like to know how you found us?” said the guardian.
“We found out at Meadow-Brook where you were. The girls’ folks told us,” replied George. “We’ve a great surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” asked the girls in chorus.
“Yes”—George looked wisely at his companions—“the greatest ever. Don’t try to guess it, for you can’t.”
“Wath that why you thaw our folkth?” demanded Tommy shrewdly.